Helmut Marko says there are severe issues that Max Verstappen might depart Pink Bull on the finish of the season if the workforce doesn’t enhance its efficiency.
Verstappen completed sixth on the Bahrain Grand Prix after overtaking Pierre Gasly on the ultimate lap of the race, however was over half a minute behind race-winner Oscar Piastri regardless of a security automotive neutralizing the race with simply 24 laps to go. After Verstappen struggled so closely with tire degradation, stability points and braking issues, Marko admitted options should be discovered shortly.
“The priority is nice,” Marko informed Sky Germany of the concern that Verstappen might depart on the finish of the season. “As I stated, enhancements have to come back within the close to future in order that he has a automotive with which he can win once more. We’ve got to create a foundation with a automotive in order that he can battle for the world championship.”
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Verstappen’s possibilities of a greater outcome have been additionally hampered by two sluggish pit stops – one for a signaling situation and one other as a result of a sluggish tire change – and he says it merely compounded a troublesome night for him.
“The tempo was very unhealthy, however in fact I didn’t anticipate the race that I had, as a result of principally every part went improper that might go improper,” Verstappen stated. “That most likely made it just a little bit worse. However I feel the place the place I completed is, on the finish of the day, the utmost that we might have finished.
“The brakes are just a little bit higher as a result of we have been allowed to alter the fabric, however the issue is just not solely the sensation within the brakes, which remains to be not the place I need it to be, but in addition our tires are simply overheating, so after I’m braking there isn’t any feeling, as a result of it’s tremendous straightforward to lock fronts or rears on the similar time.”
Having gained in Japan per week earlier, Verstappen stated the observe format and floor in Bahrain uncovered Pink Bull’s weaknesses much more.
“Missing stability [is the cause], and it’s highlighted much more on this observe. When you haven’t any stability and no tire administration, or worse tire administration than the others, then on this observe it’s worse.
“I simply really feel like we’re even worse on tires by some means this yr. It makes it simply very difficult. As a result of final yr we weren’t too unhealthy round right here. In fact then folks made enhancements, however I really feel like we really had a worse weekend than final yr. So it’s a bit bizarre.”
